5 Best Drafting Chairs for Standing Desks

5 Best Drafting Chairs for Standing Desks

Whether you’ve already made the switch to a standing desk or you’re just thinking about it, there have been many studies that show the health benefits of standing while working. Sitting too much has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and weight gain.

The standing desk circumvents these issues by reducing chair time. Standing has also been linked to decreased back pain, improved mood and energy, and may also increase productivity.

One of the biggest misconceptions of a standing desk is that you stand all the time. While sitting all day long isn’t good for your health, neither is standing in a stationary position for eight hours straight. The solution is a combination of sitting and standing, about a 50-50 split, which means you’ll need a great chair to fit the desk’s height.

You don’t want to adjust your desk every time you want to sit down, so a drafting chair’s height makes this category a great choice. The goal is to alleviate fatigue and stress on the legs and the body, so it’s important to choose a comfortable chair, one that will survive for many years, and offer both comfort and ergonomic support.

The perfect chair doesn’t exist because it’s entirely based on your individual needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a chair that meets your needs.

What to Look for in Drafting Chairs

Ergonomics: The aim of ergonomics is to increase productivity while minimizing injury. This doesn’t only relate to your chair, as many factors are at play such as the desk itself, mats, foot rests, shoes, height and placement of the monitor, etc. The good news is that you can overcome many other ergonomic misses in your setup with the right chair. From good lumbar support to proper foot rest, the goal is to create a comfortable position for your body with the right angles, support, and height.

Adjustability: Your body’s shape and size is unique to you, so you’ll need a chair that can adjust to the contours and needs of your specific body. If you’re not sure which chair to buy, a good rule of thumb is to buy the one with the most adjustment opportunities, allowing you to customize constantly until the fit is perfect for you. Some factors to consider are:

The maximum seat height should allow you to sit comfortably in an upright position at the height of the standing desk.

Adjustable arm rests are an option on many chairs. It’s important the chair can be adjusted so your arms are parallel to the ground and rest comfortably and relaxed to prevent strain and injuries.

The angle of the backrest will help support your back, and any adjustment in headrests (if available) can help customize your daily needs.

Foot rings, if available, should be adjustable so your feet can remain flat while sitting to keep your blood circulation moving throughout the body.

Comfort: Ample cushioning will provide your muscles with the necessary relaxation to prevent aches and pains from extended periods of sitting down, especially in the low back and buttocks regions. A broad seat will be more comfortable, giving you plenty of room to move around. The thickness of the seat padding, its softness, and overall luxury should be things to consider, as well as headrest and armrest. Cushioning on the end of the seat should support the knees, and lumbar support should comfort the small of the back.

Durability: The life of the chair can have an impact on how much you’re willing to spend on it. Consider the material used for the cover, with leather and mesh fabrics lasting longer than foams and fibers. Metal materials used for the joints and chassis will often last longer than plastic, which can wear down more quickly especially with frequent adjustments.

Budget: In general, most people don’t regret spending more on comfort, but ultimately you must decide on a budget and choose the best chair considering all the above factors. If you’re deciding between two chairs and the more durable one is a little bit more expensive, consider the cost over the life of the chair. The right chair also has the potential to increase your productivity and decrease back pain, so the earnings potential and medical savings may make it worth the extra money. Ultimately, it depends on how many hours a week you plan to sit on the chair. If you’re not sitting in it for extended periods of time, you may not want to spend extra on padding and adjustment options.

Here are the best drafting chairs for standing desks that offer great comfort, value and the support needed to work for long hours.

Balt Circulation Adjustable Height Stool

Herman Miller Classic Aeron Work Stool

Boss Office Products B16245-BK Be Well Medical Spa Drafting Stool

Safco Products 3442GR Metro Extended Height Chair

Office Star Deluxe Mesh Back Drafting Chair

Editor’s Choice

Balt Circulation Adjustable Height Stool

Balt began manufacturing printer stands in 1985 with the goal to create high-quality, multi-functional stands. Through growth and acquisitions, they branched out and became a leader in office products as they continued to focus on value driven, ecologically preferred, and ergonomic products. They make a concerted effort to design and manufacture environmentally friendly, sustainable products.

With GREENGUARD certification, you can be sure that their products have met the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standard for the release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into indoor air. Balt takes great pride to ensure that their products have low chemical emissions and meet this trusted standard for low-emitting products.

The Balt Circulation Adjustable Height Stool combines style and comfort. The perforated pattern on the seat and backrest is made from polypropylene, so it is not only built for durability but provides excellent ventilation as well.

Natural contours in the seat back support your lower back, and a 16-degree seat slope promotes good posture as it allows you to sit in a neutral position. The pneumatic adjustment permits a range in height from 24-inches to 31-inches high. The foot rest is fully adjustable and optional arms with flexible height are available.

Users describe this chair as “perfect” and as the most comfortable office chair they have ever had. The ease of adjustment is well appreciated amongst users. The durable plastic frame described as “quite sturdy,” and users report this chair is easy to get in- and out of, even when the chair is at the maximum height.

Because of the comfort-focused design, durability, and high level of adjustment, the Balt Circulation Adjustable Height Stool gets our Editor’s Choice for 2017.

Best Upgrade Pick

Herman Miller Classic Aeron Work Stool

Herman Miller has spent the last 75 years dedicated to creating innovative products that solve problems via design. Herman Miller has been named Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies,” Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” and Fast Company’s “Most Innovative.” They are dedicated to quality, research and testing, and pioneering products that work with purpose and integrity to create a better world around us.

Herman Miller’s commitment to reduce environmental impact is not only evident in their environmentally friendly manufacturing facility in Michigan, but also in the design of each chair. Most products are made from 94 percent recyclable materials and can be completely disassembled so the plastic parts and ferrous metals (identified using a magnet) can be recycled.

The Aeron stool series features legendary design, coupling supportive comfort with innovative suspensions to inspire users to think “wow” when they sit down. Designed with PostureFit SL, the stool provides comfort with ergonomic support, moving the body into a position that mimics the spine while standing.

The design of the chair keeps the chest open, pelvis tilted slightly forward, and supports the lumbar. The front edge of the seat is designed to take pressure off of your thighs, keeping the blood circulating in the leg. Tilt allows the body to move in a natural way, shifting from forward to reclining positions intuitively. Keeping you in contact with the back of the chair helps you stay in full control of your movement through the entire range of recline.

The chair is available with additional adjustable lumbar support and has an option for fully adjustable arms. All adjustment controls are designed for ease-of-use, including a foot rest that can be adjusted from a seated position.

The unique Pellicle fabric is extremely durable as well as designed to maintain an even and comfortable temperature all day long, allowing body heat and air to pass through the seat and backrest. With Herman Miller’s 12-year, 3-shift warranty on parts and labor (including all moving mechanisms), you can feel secure that this product is built for durability.

Users point out the stool’s high configurability, allowing it to easily fit anyone’s style of sitting. One user talks about the high price of the stool as being a good “investment.” He explains the price is more tolerable than at first glance as he plans to have it for 10 years or more, it will cut down on fatigue and body ailments, and increase his productivity.

Many reviewers commented that they previously had back problems that this stool has since solved, allowing them to work continuously without having to get up and stretch, as well as saving them from chiropractic expense.

Because of the higher price and the exceptional design with comfort and ergonomics in mind, the Herman Miller Classic Aeron Work Stool receives our Editor’s Best Upgrade Pick for 2017.

Best Budget Pick

Boss Office Products B16245-BK Be Well Medical Spa Drafting Stool

Boss Office Products was established in 1990 and became the first United States office chair distributor to set up its own manufacturing facilities in China. They were ranked in 2003 by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America. They have passed the stringent tests required to become MAS Certified Green Company for low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions.

The B16245-BK model stool is a simplistic stool that has no arms. The design of the backrest emulates the natural shape of the spine to increase ergonomics and comfort. The stool features a footrest that is not adjustable, however the footrest is removable. The seat height is adjustable with a quiet pneumatic lift function that adjusts the seat height for a 6-inch vertical height range, allowing this stool to go from 28-inches to 34-inches high.

Durability was on the top of the list when this stool was designed. The Carressoft vinyl upholstery is constructed to be sturdy and easy to clean. The majority of the stool is made of attractive chrome metal instead of plastic, giving it a well-made base that will last for much longer than a plastic counterpart. The five-star base also features dual-caster wheels, allowing the chair to glide smoothly around your workspace.

Users with back pain report that this stool is not only stable and comfortable when sitting, but it is also easy to get in- and out of despite its tall height. Many reviewers report using this stool at standing desks, some sitting for the majority of the day and some only sitting when their legs get tired.

They find it to be a great fit at the standing desk, some commenting that the lack of arms allows it to slide nicely underneath the desk, taking up no space when they’re not occupying it. A large number of users comment on the quality of the fabric holding up even after mild abuse and feeling “like-new” even after an extended period of use.

Because of the durability and overall comfort offered at a reasonable price, the Boss Office Products B16245-BK Stool gets our Editor’s Budget Pick for 2017.

Safco Products 3442GR Metro Extended-Height Chair

Safeco Products has been a leading manufacturer of workplace products for nearly 50 years. They are committed to the highest level of satisfaction in their products, designing them to a standard of quality that exceeds their customer expectations of value.

Their commitment to the environment goes beyond their own standards, as they require their suppliers to commit to high environmental standards as well, creating a total supply chain initiative. Their products are GREENGUARD certified, and they are dedicated to furthering their environmentally conscious attempts towards obtaining a Leader in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The Metro Extended-Height Chair has an abundance of features that make this a great option for standing-height desks. The fabric upholstery is thickly cushioned in the seat and offers a contoured back for serious comfort.

Optional height-adjustable armrests are available for this model, and an adjustable foot rest means that your feet can be sitting flat at the exact level you need them to be. The pneumatic seat height adjustment controls the customizable 10-inch range in lift, allowing the seat to adjust from 39-inches to 49-inches. A 360-degree swivel seat and spring filled mechanism with 20-degree adjustable back tilt tension gives you the movement and support to keep working.

Users report that this stool meets their expectations of comfort, with firm cushions that have plenty of padding on the seat. In addition to comfort, reviewers like the adjustability of the chair, from the overall height adjustment to the optional arm rests, allowing them to completely customize their experience.

Many speak about the adjustable foot rest, allowing them to place their feet flat and keep the blood flowing through their legs. Users comment on the tilt adjustment that helps them to adjust the recline to exactly the right position for their individual preference.

Office Star Deluxe Mesh Back Drafting Chair

Office Star Products markets nine furniture collections and operates five warehouses within the United States and Canada. They build products for the home office as well as professional setting, and they currently offer the industry’s widest selection of office furniture.

They believe in their local communities and strive to give back wherever possible, giving to organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Special Olympics Southern California, Children’s Wish Foundation International, and many others. Products are also GREENGUARD certified to ensure low chemical emissions and promote indoor air quality.

The Deluxe Mesh Back Drafting Chair is part of Office Star’s Work Smart collection, a line created to combine sturdy frames with ergonomic design. They stand behind their durability with a Work Smart warranty that includes 15-years on all non-moving parts, as well as 5-years on component parts and 3-years on upholstery fabrics and foams.

The backrest is made from a breathable, durable mesh that allows body heat and air to move through the chair. Built-in lumbar support padding provides ergonomic support on the backrest, and the seat features a thick, padded fabric for ultimate comfort.

The seat height is adjustable for an 8.5-inch range through one-touch pneumatic adjustors, for a total height of 24-inches to almost 34-inches. In addition to an adjustable footrest, the seat depth is also adjustable allowing users to position the chair back according to their individual needs, reducing pressure on the buttocks and thighs. A full 360-degree swivel provides ease of motion.

Users that say they use this chair for standing desks enjoy the adjustable foot rest, which prevents their feet from dangling and cutting off the blood circulation. The padding on the seat is rated as comfortable, and many users enjoy the mesh back which keeps them cool in addition to being relaxed in the chair.

The lumbar support is well rated by users reporting back problems. Overall, users find this a springy and comfortable chair that is easy to adjust.

Tips for Maximizing Ergonomics

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect drafting chair, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to ergonomics. By making small adjustments in chair, arm, and foot rest height, you can set yourself (and your spine) up for lasting success.

The goal is a to find a comfortable position for your body with the right angles, support, and height.

Sit back in your chair, adjusting the depth of the seat if necessary. Lower back and lumbar support are built into a great number of chairs, but you’re not taking advantage of that support if you’re sitting on the edge of the chair. Make an effort to sit with your buttocks pressed against the chair’s back and spine flat. This will help you sit up straight and avoid slumping and slouching.

Position the chair correctly in relation to the desk. The chair should be high enough so your hands rest on the work surface with elbows at 90-degree angles, with your upper arms positioned parallel to the spine.

Adjust the height of your screen. Now that your chair is at the correct height, adjust the height of the screen so it is level with your gaze. Use a stack of books to raise the screen if need be. In addition to preventing neck strain, this will keep your back straight and prevent you from slouching as you sit.

Rest feet with legs bent at the knees in a 90-degree angle. If your feet are hanging or dangling, proper blood circulation is hampered, which can increase swollen feet or leg fatigue. Flat feet with knees bent at 90-degree angles will allow relaxation of the feet and legs, giving them a break after standing all day while promoting proper blood circulation.

Arms should be comfortable and relaxed at your sides. Adjust the arm rest as necessary so arms are slightly lifted at the shoulders to prevent neck strain and slouching postures. To prevent carpal tunnel-related abuse, arms should be positioned as parallel to the ground.